Jets select Justin Fields as their new quarterback with a $40 million contract
The New York Jets, under the leadership of new head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey, are taking a chance on Justin Fields as their next quarterback. Fields is set to join the Jets as his third team in the NFL, following stints with the Chicago Bears and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Jets are likely hoping that Fields can follow in the footsteps of quarterbacks like Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Geno Smith—players who bounced around teams before eventually finding success later in their careers.
The Jets’ decision to sign Fields to a two-year contract worth $40 million gives them some flexibility. If Fields performs well during the upcoming season, they have the option to keep him for the 2026 season. However, if things don’t work out, they can part ways without being tied down to him long-term. Fields’ journey to the Jets began when the Bears selected him with the 11th overall pick in the 2021 draft, the same year the Jets picked Zach Wilson second overall. While Fields displayed moments of brilliance, he struggled to find consistent success in Chicago, largely due to changes in coaching staffs and offensive coordinators during his three years there.
Fields’ time with the Steelers last season was also a mixed experience. He started the first six games and showed flashes of potential, with five passing touchdowns and five rushing touchdowns, all while throwing only one interception. However, Pittsburgh’s coach Mike Tomlin decided to switch to Russell Wilson after the team’s 4-2 start. Despite playing a limited role for the remainder of the season, Fields’ potential was still evident, prompting the Jets to take a chance on him. Over the course of his career, Fields has thrown 45 touchdowns, rushed for 19 more, and accumulated 31 interceptions, with a career quarterback rating of 83.9.
The Jets’ offense is expected to provide Fields with more support than he had in previous years. With star wide receiver Garrett Wilson, whom Fields knows from their time at Ohio State, and a solidified offensive line with Breece Hall in the backfield, the Jets appear to have the right pieces in place for a quarterback to succeed. They also plan to add to their receiving corps and tight end positions in the upcoming draft or free agency.
However, the real challenge lies in how new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand integrates his system with Fields’ unique skill set. Fields, known for his mobility, will need an offensive scheme that maximizes his ability to make plays outside of the pocket, especially with RPO (Run-Pass Option) plays. If he starts in Week 1, Fields will become the fifth different quarterback to start for the Jets in the past six seasons, following Darnold, Wilson, Joe Flacco, and Aaron Rodgers. With limited options available, Fields was seen as the best choice to address the Jets’ ongoing quarterback struggles.